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Good Early Season Miles

Today is officially the end of the first week of “real” early season training. I’ve ridden 480 miles in 29 hours and still have today left. That is pretty huge for me for the first official week of riding. The average speed seems kind of low, but with all the lights and climbing, it really isn’t.

Yesterday I rode 106 miles with local Kansans Adam Mills and Joseph Schmalz , plus Joe’s Hincapie team mate Robin Carpenter. . Robin won that super crazy stage to Crested Butte they stopped in the USPro Challenge last year. James a Stout, a British rider that is in graduate school at UCSD started with us, but had to turn back early to teach a class. That might be the first time I’ve heard that reason for cutting a ride short. James was super interesting to talk to.

It was a good ride. I’m a tad tired right now, but seem to be riding into it after the first 30 minutes or so.

An interesting thing happened. I got pulled over by a cop for looking at my phone yesterday while riding. I pulled my phone out to use Google Maps to try to figure out where I was. I rode by a police car and waved. Next thing I know he’s behind me telling me to pull over.

He tells me I am under the same rules as an automobile and it’s illegal to look at my phone while riding a bike. I explained I didn’t know that law and was from Kansas. He asked for ID at least 3 times. I told him all 3 times I don’t heave any. He finally just let me go. Kind of a strange encounter.

My computer is officially not working. It won’t charge. There isn’t an appointment open at the Apple Store until Sunday. Shit. So, I’m posting this on my phone and it is getting tedious. I think I’ll just put my computer in a backpack and ride over to the Apple Store after I ride and see if they can sneak me in.

Okay, here are some pictures from yesterday.

Adam, Robin and Joseph heading back yesterday.

This guy passed me on Miramar Road doing about 30 mph. He got stopped at the next light and did a track stand while I caught up to him. When the light turned green, he instantly popped a wheelie and rode it across the intersection. Pretty impressive. Then he took off again a full speed. All I could think was that I was jealous of his enthusiasm.

My rear tire after the ride yesterday. It was showing no threads before the ride. Crazy.

I had to stop and get a fish taco before I finished the ride. I was sort of done.

its actually nice to hear someone on these middle, middle of the week day rides you do actually have to cut short for real life reasons. and an academic one at that! Nice.
postal service skin suit guy doing wheelies…lol wtf

The world is right again. Tilford getting stopped and harassed by coppers. I was starting to worry this wouldn’t happen again.

Since this happened in Kalifornia, I’m convinced you are a cop magnet. it’s the pony tail, and the shifty eyes, and the fact you use Apple products. I saw an article on CNN about how cops are trained to target, stop and steal cash, err, confiscate in some areas. Surely this has happened to you no?

James Stout had a controversial exit from Team Type One. It was something about not fulfilling obligations, being slow or something nonsensical.

If this is truly the real James Stout, we want to hear your story. You are the most interesting man in the world. The bike-racing, diabetic, crazy-fast, skinny Pro, Jack Kerouac has made his way to Southern California?

Hi Mike,
that was me yes, I had a contract terminated for wearing a t shirt that said “i cycle to compensate for my enormous penis” and for sharing an article by AL Jazeera. Apparently both fell foul of the team’s “don’t be a real person with a sense of humor or a conscience” policy.

I work in non profit now, with people living with diabetes in resource poor settings. We use exercise and education to empower people to live happy and healthy lives. Both in the DR, Haiti and in Native American communities. I don’t get paid by a drug company anymore or asked to take any drugs i don’t need to in order to survive. I find it entirely more fulfilling and still very much enjoy riding my bike with my friends. Please do feel free to see our page on facebook.com/pascuayaquibike

It’s all about probable cause. When the cop sees you doing anything of even marginal illegality he’ll want to see your identification so he can run it through the computer and see if you’re one of the country’s ten most wanted or maybe just have a warrant out for you six states away. Then he gets an easy pinch and, in this case, gets to brag to his cop buddies how he busted a cyclist.

James. I am here in Adelaide in Oz so am currently recovering from the yearly visit to town from the PRO circus. Long time subscriber to RIDE and whilst I am as fascinated as anyone by the virtues of the latest aerodynamic bidon, your articles offer a nice slant for those who are, or wish to be a little more rounded in their perspective. I look forward to seeing more of your work. Keep it up. Cheers, Cliff.